The World Needs Scientific Literacy

ALL NATIONS SHOULD REQUIRE STUDENTS TO PURSUE GENERAL EDUCATION IN THE SCIENCES

When I speak to groups about scientifi c literacy, I often begin by asking audience members to shout out a signifi cant global problem. A typical list of responses might include poverty, prejudice, overpopulation, the economy, environment, gasoline prices, terrorism, drugs, crime, war, pollution, biodiversity, nuclear weapons, disease — you get the idea. Now, think through the causes and solutions of these problems. I think you’ll agree that nearly all are related to science and technology.

Seems logical that requiring students to take additional courses from the science curriculum would result in higher levels of science literacy, but conservatives would demand equal time for their anti-science agenda, too.

We'd have to require serious students to choke down courses in "intelligent design" and "the hoax of climate change."

By this means, appropriating progressive thought and turning it against us, conservatives preserve the status quo.

So Alpha, now you accuse me of approving of "stupid and perverse things"?

That's so open-minded of you to call believing in Intelligent Design an example of "stupid and perverse".

Why is it that liberals, such as yourself, are so bitter and condescending? Wait...I know. It's because you want to drag everyone else down to your level.

If liberals were nicer people I wouldn't delight in knowing that what I believe rankles you.

Why do liberals claim to own being open-minded and tolerant, when you are neither? You want the "theory"of evolution taught in school, but you want anything Christian excluded. Why is that? Are you so threatened by Christianity that you have no room for open-mindedness. That is the epitome of hypocrisy!

Go back to being the head cat in your little kingdom, maybe a dumb animal can appreciate your philosophy on life.

RE "So Alpha, now you accuse me of approving of "stupid and perverse things"?"At least your reading skills are improving.

RE "That's so open-minded of you to call believing in Intelligent Design an example of 'stupid and perverse'."As a "real" Christian who is by no means open-minded about everything, I should think you would understand that some things just don't belong in an open mind. It is perverse to try to warp science to make it accommodate belief in an error-filled book of myths. It is stupid to try to have such a bastardized bunch of claptrap taught in schools instead of real science, or even in tandem with real science. It's pretty straightforward, really.

RE "Why is it that liberals, such as yourself, are so bitter and condescending?"Why is it that conservatives are such whiney-heinies? I'll wait while you put on your martyr cloak.

RE "If liberals were nicer people I wouldn't delight in knowing that what I believe rankles you."If Christians were as nice as they say they are, they wouldn't say things like that.

RE "Why do liberals claim to own being open-minded and tolerant, when you are neither?"I've never claimed that. Apparently another of your conservative tropes has bitten the dust.

RE "You want the 'theory'of evolution taught in school"This amply demonstrates your lack of understanding of the word "theory" as it is used in real science, and seriously call into question your ability to assess the value of any kind of science curriculum, real or hokum.

RE "Are you so threatened by Christianity that you have no room for open-mindedness."No. Are you so unable to make a case for your argument that you have to resort to such a foolish question?

RE "That is the epitome of hypocrisy!"No, it isn't. I'll let you know when you've posted it, though. I know you'll keep trying.

RE "Go back to being the head cat in your little kingdom..."It is truly a little kingdom-- only about six acres-- but it's a good one. Socialism and everything.

RE "...maybe a dumb animal can appreciate your philosophy on life."Then there is yet hope for your eventual enlightenment.

BTW, I'm no Christian zealot. In fact, my inclination is to believe in evolution. I do, however, find your responses repulsive and condesending. Too bad you cannot debate the topic without demeaning the opponent...Too bad, but not surprising....

RE "Wow such satire....No bias here. If you can't defend it, then chastise it."I'm so glad you see how poorly patrioteer argues. Perhaps he will learn something from your expertise.

RE "Thanks Alpha for letting the true colors shine through...."No-- really: patrioteer's true colors are revealed in his own writing; I just brought attention to what is already there. It's nice of you to give me the credit for exposing him, but it would be dishonest of me to accept it.

RE "I do, however, find your responses repulsive and condesending."It is true that patrioteer's tone is often un-Christian, and not at all likely to win converts, though "repulsive" probably goes a little too far.

RE "Too bad you cannot debate the topic without demeaning the opponent...Too bad, but not surprising...."Indeed, you should not be surprised that a person who attempts to discuss a topic without a full grasp of his source material will resort to ad hominem attack when his arguments go awry, given your considerable experience.

I will admit that I'm a bit surprised myself that you would jump in like this and chastise patrioteer so roundly for his inadequate efforts. Not that I need the support, but thank you anyway.